Semiconductor device

ABSTRACT

There is provided, for example, a write assist circuit for controlling the voltage level of a memory cell power supply line coupled to an SRAM memory cell to be written in the write operation. The write assist circuit reduces the voltage level of the memory cell power supply line to a predetermined voltage level, in response to a write assist enable signal that is enabled in the write operation. At the same time, the write assist circuit controls the reduction speed of the voltage level of the memory cell power supply line, according to the pulse width of a write assist pulse signal. The pulse width of the write assist pulse signal is defined in such a way that the greater the number of rows (or the longer the length of the memory cell power supply line), the greater the pulse width.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2011-207674 filed onSep. 22, 2011 including the specification, drawings and abstract isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to a semiconductor device, and moreparticularly to a technology that is effective in the application ofsemiconductor devices including a memory unit such as SRAM.

For example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2007-4960discloses a configuration for reducing the voltage level of a cell powersupply line when data is written in SRAM. Japanese Unexamined PatentPublication No. 2009-252256 discloses a configuration for reducing thevoltage level of a selected word line in SRAM. Japanese UnexaminedPatent Publication No. 2008-210443 discloses a configuration forsupplying the power voltage level of a memory cell to a power supplynode of a word line driver in the rise of the word line, and forsupplying a voltage level, which is lower than the power voltage levelof the memory cell, to the power supply node of the word line driverafter the rise of the word line.

SUMMARY

For example, with the miniaturization of semiconductor devices includinga static random access memory (SRAM) memory module or other media,voltage scaling is generally, performed from the point of view ofreliability, power consumption, and the like. However, when thesemiconductor devices become small, there is a problem that theoperation margin of the SRAM memory cell is reduced as a result ofincreased fluctuations in production or other factors. Thus, it isnecessary to implement various measures to maintain a constant operationmargin at a low voltage.

FIGS. 24A and 24B show a semiconductor device subject to the presentinvention, in which FIG. 24A is a schematic diagram of a configurationand operation example of the main part of a static memory module of thesemiconductor device, and FIG. 24B is a schematic diagram of aconfiguration and operation example different from the example shown inFIG. 24A. The static memory module shown in FIGS. 24A and 24B includes amemory array MARY, a word driver block WLD, and a write assist circuitWAST′. In MARY, there are provided a word line WL that is devein by WLDand extends in the X-axis direction, a memory cell (SRAM memory cell) MCselected by WL, and a memory cell power supply line driven by WAST′. Thememory cell power supply line extends in the Y-axis direction andsupplies a memory cell power supply voltage ARVDD to the particular MC.WAST′ has a function for reducing ARVDD of the selected memory cell MCfor a predetermined time in the write operation. In this way, theinformation retention capability (latch capability) is reduced, namely,the static noise margin (SNM) is reduced. As a result, the particular MCcan be easily rewritten (the write margin increases).

Here, MARY shown in FIG. 24A has a laterally long shape in which theY-axis direction (the extension direction of the memory cell powersupply line (ARVDD) or the extension direction of the bit line notshown) is the longitudinal direction, and the X-axis direction (theextension direction of WL) is the lateral direction. MARY shown in FIG.24B has a longitudinally long shape, different from the case of FIG.24A. For example, it is assumed that WAST′ is designed to reduce thevoltage level of ARVDD at the optimum conditions with respect to MARYshown in FIG. 24A. In this case, when the particular WAST′ is applied toMARY shown in FIG. 24B, the load of the memory cell power supply line(ARVDD) of MARY is larger in FIG. 24B than in FIG. 24A. Thus, it couldtake time for the voltage level of the ARVDD to reach a desired level.During this time, the selected MC has a relatively high informationretention capability (latch capability), namely, a large SNM. As aresult, the particular MC may not be easily written. In other words, thewrite margin may be reduced.

FIG. 25A is a schematic diagram of a configuration and operation exampleof the main part of the static memory module in the semiconductor devicesubject to the assumption of the present invention. FIG. 25B is aschematic diagram of a configuration and operation example that isdifferent from the example shown in FIG. 25A. The static memory modulein FIGS. 25A and 25B includes a memory array MARY, a word driver blockWLD, and a word driver power supply circuit block VGEN′. In MARY, thereare provided a word line WL that is driven by WLD and extends in theX-axis direction, a memory cell (SRAM memory cell) MC selected by theparticular WL, and a word driver power supply line driven by VGEN′. Theword driver power supply line extends in the Y-axis direction andsupplies a word driver power supply voltage WLVDD to each word driver ofWLD.

When a predetermined WL is activated by WLD, VGEN′ reduces the powersupply voltage WLVDD (of a word driver) of the particular WLD for apredetermined time. With this function, it is possible to increase theinformation retention capability (latch capability) of MC holdinginformation on the particular WL. As a result, the read margin, and thelike, can be increased. In other words, as the drive capability of anaccess NMOS transistor in the SRAM memory cell is equivalently reduced,it is possible to increase the so-called ratio, which is the ratio ofthe drive capability of the access NMOS transistor to the drivecapability of the driver NMOS transistor in the SRAM memory cell. Thus,the static noise margin (SNM) can be increased.

Here, MARY shown in FIG. 25A has a laterally long shape in which theY-axis direction (the extension direction of the word driver powersupply line (WLVDD) or the extension direction of the bit line notshown) is the longitudinal direction, and the X-axis direction (theextension direction of WL) is the lateral direction. MARY shown in FIG.25B has a longitudinally long shape, unlike the case of FIG. 25A. Theload of the word driver power supply line (WLVDD) of the MARY in FIG.25A is smaller than that in FIG. 25B, so that the voltage level of WLVDDis rapidly reduced. As a result, the voltage level of WLVDD may not beenough for WL to rise rapidly. Further, the load of WL in MARY shown inFIG. 25A is larger than that in FIG. 25B, so that it is difficult toincrease the rate of rise of WL. As a result, it would be more difficultto increase the rate of rise because of the synergistic effect of theWLVDD described above. For this reason, in MARY shown in FIG. 25A, theaccess time may not be long enough with the delay in the rate of rise ofWL.

On the other hand, the load of the word driver power supply line (WLVDD)in MARY in FIG. 25B is larger than that in FIG. 25A, so that it couldtake time for the voltage level of WLVDD to be reduced to a desiredlevel. During this time, the voltage level of the selected MC isrelatively high. Then, MC over the particular WL has a relatively lowstatic noise margin (SNM). As a result, the read margin of theparticular MC could be reduced. In addition, the load of WL in MARYshown in FIG. 25B is smaller than that in the MARY in FIG. 25A, so thatthe rate of rise is likely to increase. In other words, the voltage ofWL is likely to increase due to the overshoot. As a result, thereduction in the static noise margin (SNM) would further be acceleratedbecause of the synergistic effect of WLVDD. Thus, it may be difficult toobtain a sufficient read margin in MARY shown in FIG. 25B.

As described above, when the memory arrays with different shapes, suchas the longitudinally long shape and the laterally long shape, arepresent in the semiconductor device, there may be a reduction in theoperation margin (read margin, write margin) and a delay in the accesstime depending on the shape of the memory array. In particular, when acompiled SRAM and the like is mounted over the semiconductor device suchas system-on-a-chip (SOC), there may be a case in which a large numberof SRAM memory modules with different shapes are mounted over SOCaccording to the product market demands. In such a case, it is foundthat the operation margin and the access time can be a significantproblem. Note that the compiled SRAM is a macro cell that isautomatically generated by an automatic design tool, for example, byspecifying the number of bit lines or the number of word lines. In thecompiled SRAM, the memory allays and the peripheral circuits are formedby automatically arranging the layout of various circuit components (forexample, word drivers or other components) by the automatic design toolfor the number of bit/word lines.

The present invention has been made in the light of the above problem.Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to increase theoperation margin of a semiconductor device including a plurality ofstatic memory modules. Other objects and novel features of the presentinvention will be apparent from the following detailed description whenread in conjunction with the appended claims and the drawings attachedhereto.

An outline of a typical embodiment of the invention disclosed in thisapplication will be simply described below.

A semiconductor device according to the exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention includes a first memory module and a second memorymodule. The first memory module includes a plurality of first wordlines, a plurality of first bit lines, and a plurality of first SRAMmemory cells located at the intersections of the first word lines andthe first bit lines. In addition, the first memory module also includesa plurality of first memory cell power supply lines extending in thesame direction as the first bit lines to supply power to the first SRAMmemory cells, as well as a first write assist circuit. The first writeassist circuit discharges the electric charge of a first memory cellpower supply line corresponding to the first SRAM memory cell to bewritten in the write operation for a first period. Similarly, the secondmemory module includes a plurality of second word lines, a plurality ofsecond bit lines, and a plurality of second SRAM memory cells located atthe intersections of the second word lines and the second bit lines. Inaddition, the second memory module also includes a plurality of secondmemory cell power supply lines extending in the same direction as thesecond bit lines to supply power to the second SRAM memory cells, aswell as a second write assist circuit. The second write assist circuitdischarges the electric charge of a second memory cell power supply linecorresponding to the second SRAM memory cell to be written in the writeoperation for a second period. Here, when the number of first word linesis greater than the number of second word lines, the first period is setto be longer than the second period.

With this configuration, it is possible to reduce the power supplyvoltage of the SRAM memory cell to be written in the write operation.Thus, the write margin can be increased. In addition, the reductionspeed (and the reduction width) of the particular power supply voltagecan be controlled by the first and second periods. Thus, the writemargin can be increased regardless of the number of word lines of eachmemory module.

Further, the semiconductor device according to the embodiment of thepresent invention, the first memory module described above also includesa plurality of first word drivers, a word driver power supply line, anda first power supply circuit block. The second memory module describedabove also includes a plurality of second word drivers, a second worddriver power supply line, and a second power supply circuit block. Thefirst word drivers drive the first word lines. The first word driverpower supply line extends in the same direction as the first bit line tosupply power to the first word drivers. The first power supply circuitblock reduces the voltage level of the first word driver power supplyline by a first drive capability in the read operation. Similarly, thesecond word drivers drive the second word lines. The second word driverpower supply line extends in the same direction as the second bit lineto supply power to the second word drivers. The second power supplycircuit block reduces the voltage level of the second word driver powersupply line by a second drive capability in the read operation. Here,the first and second drive capabilities are defined in such a way thatthe greater the number of words lines or the smaller the number of bitlines, the greater the first and second drive capabilities. In otherwords, when the number of the first word lines and the number of thesecond word numbers are substantially the same, and when the number ofthe first bit lines is greater than the number of the second bit lines,the first drive capability is set to be smaller than the second drivecapability. Further, when the number of the first bit lines and thenumber of the second bit lines are substantially the same, and when thenumber of the first word lines is greater than the number of the secondword lines, the first drive capability is set to be larger than thesecond drive capability.

With this configuration, it is possible to reduce the voltage level ofthe selected word line in the read operation. Thus, it is possible toincrease the read margin of the SRAM memory cell over the particularword line. Further, it is also possible to control the reduction speed(and the reduction width) of the particular voltage level by the firstand second drive capabilities. As a result, the write margin can beincreased, while maintaining a predetermined access performance,regardless of the number of word lines and the number of bit lines ineach memory module.

The effects obtained by a typical embodiment of the invention disclosedin this application will be briefly described below. That is, in asemiconductor device including a plurality of static memory modules, itis possible to increase the operation margin.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a schematic configuration example of astatic memory module included in a semiconductor device according to afirst embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram of a configuration example of each memorycell in the memory module in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a waveform diagram of a schematic operation example of thememory module in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a schematic configuration example of theentire semiconductor device according to the first embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of an example of the function around thewrite assist circuit of the memory module in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of an example of the effect in the memoryunit in FIG. 4 when the write assist circuit in FIG. 5 is applied toeach static memory module of the particular memory unit;

FIG. 7A is a circuit diagram of a detailed configuration example of thewrite assist circuit in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7B is a circuit diagram of another configuration example differentfrom the case of FIG. 7A;

FIG. 8 is a waveform diagram of an operation example of the write assistcircuit shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B;

FIG. 9 is a circuit diagram of a detailed configuration example of thewrite assist timing generation circuit in FIG. 5;

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of an example of the function around thewrite assist circuit, which is partially different from the case of FIG.5;

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of an example of the effect in the memoryunit in FIG. 4, when the write assist circuit in FIG. 10 is applied toeach static memory module of the particular memory unit;

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of a configuration example around thewrite assist timing generation circuit different from that in FIG. 5, ina semiconductor device according to a second embodiment;

FIG. 13 is a circuit diagram of a detailed configuration example of arows dummy load circuit and the write assist timing generation circuitshown in FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram of an example of the characteristics ofthe word driver power supply circuit block included in each staticmemory module in the memory unit shown in FIG. 4, in a semiconductordevice according to a third embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 15A to 15C are schematic diagrams of the relationship between thesizes of the word driver power supply circuit blocks when the arrayconfiguration of each static memory module in the memory unit isdifferent from the case of FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a circuit diagram of a detailed configuration example of theword driver power supply circuit block, the word driver block, and thememory array in each static memory module in FIG. 14;

FIG. 17 is a waveform diagram of an operation example of the word driverpower supply circuit block in FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 is a circuit diagram of a detailed configuration example of theword driver power supply circuit block, the word driver block, and thememory array in each static memory module in FIG. 14, in a semiconductordevice according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 19 is a circuit diagram of a detailed configuration example of theword driver power supply circuit block, the word driver block, and thememory array in each static memory module in FIG. 14, in a semiconductordevice according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 20 is a circuit diagram of a detailed configuration example of theword driver power supply circuit block, the word driver block, and thememory array in each static memory module in FIG. 14, in a semiconductordevice according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 21A and 21B are top views each showing a schematic layout exampleof each word driver power supply circuit in the static memory module ina semiconductor device according to a seventh embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 22 is a top view of a schematic layout example of a part of thearea of the static memory module in FIG. 21A;

FIG. 23 is a schematic diagram of a configuration example of a memoryunit included in a semiconductor device according to an eighthembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 24A is a diagram schematically showing a configuration andoperation example of the main part of a static memory module in thesemiconductor device subject to the present invention;

FIG. 24B is a diagram schematically showing a configuration andoperation example different from the example of FIG. 24A;

FIG. 25A is a diagram schematically showing a configuration andoperation example of the main part of the static memory module in thesemiconductor device subject to the present invention; and

FIG. 25B is a diagram schematically showing a configuration andoperation example different from the example of FIG. 25A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the embodiments described below, the invention will be described in aplurality of sections or embodiments when required as a matter ofconvenience. However, these sections or embodiments are not irrelevantto each other unless otherwise stated, and the one relates to the entireor a part of the other as a modification example, details, or asupplementary explanation thereof. Also, in the embodiments describedbelow, when referring to the number of elements (including the number ofpieces, values, amount, range, and the like), the number of the elementsis not limited to a specific number unless otherwise stated or exceptthe case where the number is apparently limited to a specific number inprinciple. The number larger or smaller than the specified number isalso applicable.

Further, in the embodiments described below, it goes without saying thatthe components (including element steps) are not necessarily requiredunless otherwise stated or except the case where the components areapparently necessary in principle. Similarly, in the embodimentsdescribed below, when the shape of the components, positional relationthereof, and the like are mentioned, the substantially approximate andsimilar shapes and the like are included therein unless otherwise statedor except the case where it is conceivable that they are apparentlyexcluded in principle. The same goes for the numerical value and therange described above.

Still further, the circuit device including each functional block of theembodiments is not particularly limited, but is formed by the knownintegrated circuit technology such as a complementally MOS transistor(CMOS) over a semiconductor substrate such as of mono-crystal silicon.Note that in the embodiments, as an example of metal insulatorsemiconductor field effect transistor (MISFET), which is simply referredto as MIS transistor, a metal oxide semiconductor field effecttransistor (MOSFET), which is simply referred to as MOS transistor, isused. However, the non-oxide film is not excluded as a gate insulatingfilm. In the drawings, the gate of a p-channel MOS transistor (PMOStransistor) is represented by a circle to distinguish it from ann-channel MOS transistor (NMOS transistor). Although the coupling of thesubstrate potential of the MOS transistor is not shown in the drawings,the coupling method is not particularly limited within the range ofnormal operation of the MOS transistor.

Hereinafter, the embodiments of the present invention will be describedin detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In principle,like components are denoted by like reference numerals throughout thedrawings for describing the embodiments, and the explanation is notrepeated.

First Embodiment <Schematic Configuration of the Entire Memory Module>

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a schematic configuration example of astatic memory module included in a semiconductor device according to afirst embodiment of the present invention. A static memory module SRMDin FIG. 1 includes a control circuit block CTLBK, a word driver blockWLD, a word driver power supply circuit block VGEN, a memory array MARY,column selection circuit YSW, a write driver WTD, a write assist circuitWAST, a sense amplifier SA, a write assist timing generation circuitTDG, and an input/output buffer circuit IOB. CTLBK includes an addresscontrol circuit ADRCTL and a read/write control circuit RWCTL.

MARY includes (m+1) word lines WL [0] to WL [m] extending in parallel ina first direction, (n+1) bit line pairs (BL [0], ZBL [0]) to (BL [n],ZBL [n]) extending in parallel in a second direction crossing the firstdirection, and a plurality of memory cells MC located at theintersections of the (m+1) word lines and the (n+1) bit line pairs. Eachbit line pair includes two bit lines (for example, BL [0] and ZBL [0])for transmitting complementary signals. Further, MARY also includes(n+1) memory cell power supply lines (memory cell power supply voltages)ARVDD [0] to ARVDD [n] extending in parallel in the second direction.The MC coupled to a certain bit line pair (BL [s], ZBL [s]) (s is aninteger of 0 to n) is coupled to a corresponding ARVDD [s].

The address control circuit ADRCTL decodes (or pre-decodes) addresssignals A [0] to A [j] from an external address terminal of SRMD with adecode start signal TDEC as the trigger. Then, ADRCTL outputs rowselection signals X [0] to X [k] as well as column selection signals Y[0] to Y [i]. The word driver block WLD selects (or activates) one ofthe (m+1) word lines according to the signals X [0] to X [k]. The columnselection circuit YSW selects one of the (n+1) bit line pairs accordingto the signals Y [0] to Y [i]. The word driver power supply circuitblock VGEN supplies the word driver power supply voltage WLVDD to eachword driver (not shown) in WLD.

The read/write control circuit RWCTL generates a decode start signalTDEC, an internal write enable signal WE, a write assist enable signalWTE, and a sense amplifier enable signal SE, in response to the signals(WEN, CLK, CEN) from an external control terminal of SRMD. WEN is thewrite enable signal that distinguishes between read and write commands.CLK is the clock signal as the base of the read write operation. CEN isthe clock enable signal for controlling enable/disable clock signals.The input/output buffer circuit IOB obtains a data input signal Di froman external data terminal of SRMD, and transmits Di to the write driverWTD. Further, IOB obtains the output signal from the sense amplifier SA,and outputs it as a data output signal Do to the external data terminal.

WTD amplifies the difference of the voltages of the data from the IOBaccording to the internal write enable signal WE, and transmits to apredetermined bit line pair through the column selection circuit YSW. Inresponse to the write assist enable signal WTE, the write assist timinggeneration circuit TDG outputs a control signal to the write assistcircuit WAST. WAST controls the memory cell power supply voltage ARVDDof the selected memory cell MC by using the control signal from TDG inthe write operation. Although the details will be described later, thepart of the TDG and WAST is one of the main characteristics of the firstembodiment. The sense amplifier SA amplifies the difference between thevoltages of the signal pair, which is transmitted from the predeterminedbit line pair through YSW, with the sense amplifier enable signal SE asthe trigger. Then, the sense amplifier SA outputs the result to the IOB.

FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram of a configuration example of each memorycell in the memory module in FIG. 1. The memory cell MC shown in FIG. 2is the SRAM memory cell including four NMOS transistors MN1 to MN4, twoPMOS transistors MP1 and MP2. Here, MN1 and MN2 are driver transistors,MN3 and MN4 are access transistors, and MP1 and MP2 are loadtransistors. The gate of MN3 is coupled to the word line WL, in whichone end of the source/drain is coupled to the bit line BL on thepositive side. The gate of MN4 is coupled to WL, in which one end of thesource/drain is coupled to the bit line ZBL on the negative side.

Each pair of transistors, MN1, MP1 and MN2, MP2, forms a CMOS invertercircuit between the memory cell power supply voltage ARVDD and theground power supply voltage VSS. In the two CMOS inverter circuits, oneinput is coupled to the other output to form a latch circuit. The otherend of the source/drain of MN4 is coupled to the input (the output ofthe CMOS inverter circuits (MN2, MP2) of the CMOS inverter circuit (MN1,MP1). The other end of the source/drain of MN3 is coupled to the input(the output of the CMOS inverter circuit (MN1, MP1) of the CMOS invertercircuit (MN2, MP2).

<Schematic Operation of the Entire Memory Module>

FIG. 3 is a waveform diagram of a schematic operation example of thememory module in FIG. 1. In the example shown in FIG. 3, when the clocksignal CLK rises, a read cycle (T0) is performed when the clock enablesignal CEN is at ‘L’ level and the write enable signal WEN is at ‘H’level. Further, a write cycle (T1) is performed when CEN is at the ‘L’level and WEN is also at the ‘L’ level. Further, when CEN is at the ‘H’level upon the rise of the CLK, it changes to a no-operation cycle (T2)in which the read and write operations are not performed.

In the read cycle (T0), first, the write control circuit RWCTL changesthe decode start signal TDEC from the ‘L’ level to the ‘H’ level, uponthe rise of the clock signal CLK. Further, RWCTL outputs the ‘L’ levelas the internal write enable signal WE as well as the write assistenable signal WTE. When TDEC is changed to the ‘H’ level, the addresscontrol circuit ADRCTL generates the row selection signals X [0] to X[k] and the column selection signals Y [0] to Y [i] (here, Y [0] isdisplayed in FIG. 3), according to the address signals A [0] to A [j].In the example shown in FIG. 3, it is assumed that the word line WL [0]is selected by X [0] to X [k], and the bit line pair (BL [0], ZBL [0])is selected by Y [0] to Y [i].

The word driver block WLD raises WL [0] according to X [0] to X [k].Then, the storage data of each memory cell MC coupled to WL [0] is readon the corresponding bit line pair. In this example, the write signal inthe bit line pair, BL [0] and ZBL[0], is transmitted to the senseamplifier SA through the column selection circuit YSW. The read/writecontrol circuit RWCTL changes the sense amplifier enable signal SE tothe enable state (‘H’ level) when a predetermined delay time has elapsedafter the transition of the TDEC to the ‘H’ level. SA amplifies the readsignal of the bit line pair (BL[0], ZBL[0]) transmitted through YSW,with the ‘H’ level of the particular SE as the trigger. Then, theamplified signal is output to the external terminal as the data outputsignal Do through the input/output buffer circuit IOB. Here, the raisedword line WL [0] is lowered from the ‘H’ level to the ‘L’ level of TDEC.

Here, the word driver power supply circuit block VGEN reduces the worddriver power supply voltage WLVDD to a predetermined voltage level, inresponse to the ‘H’ level of TDEC in the read operation. For example,the word driver power supply circuit block VGEN reduces the voltagelevel of WLVDD to a voltage level lower than the voltage level of thememory cell power supply voltage ARVDD. The voltage level of theselected word line (WL [0]) is defined according to the voltage level ofthe particular WLVDD. In each MC coupled onto WL [0], the static noisemargin (SNM) increases with the increase in the β ratio of the drivertransistor and the access transistor. Thus, the write margin increases.Then, VGEN returns the voltage level of WLVDD to the original voltagelevel (for example, the voltage level of ARVDD), in response to the ‘L’level of TDEC herein.

Next, in the write cycle (T1), first the read/write control circuitRWCTL changes the decode start signal TDEC from the ‘L’ level to the ‘H’level, upon the rise of the clock signal CLK. Further, RWCTL outputs the‘H’ level as the internal write enable signal WE as well as the writeassist enable signal WTE. The address control circuit ADRCTL generatesthe row selection signals X [0] to X [k] and the column selectionsignals Y [0] to Y [i], when TDEC is changed to the ‘H’ level. The worddriver block WLD raises the word line (here, WL [0]) corresponding to X[0] to X [k].

In parallel with this, the data input signal Di from the externalterminal is input to the write driver WTD through the input/outputbuffer circuit IOB. WTD amplifies the input signal from IOB, in responseto the ‘H’ level of the WE. The column selection circuit YSW couples theoutput of the WTD to the bit line pair (here, LB [0] and ZBL [0]). Inthis way, the information of Di is written into the selected memory cellMC. Then, the raised word line (WL [0]) is lowered when the TDEC ischanged from the ‘H’ level to the ‘L’ level. Thus, the selected memorycell MC holds the information of Di.

Here, in this write operation, the write assist circuit WAST receivesthe ‘H’ level of the write assist enable signal WTE through the writeassist timing generation circuit TDG. Then, the write assist circuitWAST reduces the memory cell power voltage to be written (here, ARVDD[0]) to a predetermined voltage level. Thus, in the memory cell to bewritten (here, MC located at the intersection of WL [0] and BL [0], ZBL[0]), the static noise margin (SNM) is reduced as the drive capabilityof the driver transistor decreases. As a result, the write marginincreases. Then, WAST returns the voltage level of WLVDD to the originalvoltage level (for example, the voltage level of ARVDD) in response tothe ‘L’ level of the voltage level of WLVDD. Note that in such a writeoperation, the word driver power supply circuit block VGEN reduces theword driver power supply voltage WLVDD to a predetermined voltage level,similarly to the case of the write operation described above. Thisensures that the memory cell not to be written over the selected wordline (WL [0]) holds the storage data to increase SNM (read margin).

<Schematic Configuration of the Entire Semiconductor Device>

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a schematic configuration example of theentire semiconductor device according to the first embodiment of thepresent invention. In FIG. 4, it is shown a semiconductor device (LSI)such as called system-on-a-chip (SOC) in which various logic circuitsand memory circuits are formed in one semiconductor chip. Thesemiconductor device in FIG. 4 is, for example, the LSI for mobilephones. The semiconductor device includes two processor units CPU1 andCPU2, an application unit APPU, a memory unit MEMU, a baseband unit BBU,and an input/output unit IOU. MEMU includes a plurality of (here, three)static memory modules SRMD1 to SRMD3. The static memory modules SRMD1 toSRMD3 are different in the array configuration (the number of rows (wordlines) and the number of columns (bit line pairs)). The configurationexample shown in FIG. 1 is applied to each of the memory modules.

CPU1 and CPU2 perform arithmetic operations based on a program. APPUperforms a predetermined application process required for the mobilephone. BBU performs a predetermined baseband process associated withwireless communications. IOU serves as an input/output interface betweeninside and outside. Here, each of SRMD1 to SRMD3 in MEMU is accessed,for example, as a cache memory in the process of the various circuitblocks. The optimal configuration of the cache memory (the number ofrows and the bit width) can be changed according to the configurationand process of the circuit blocks. Accordingly, the array configurationof each memory module can also be changed. Thus, as shown in FIG. 4, thesemiconductor device may include memory modules having various arrayconfigurations, such as the longitudinally long configuration (SRMD1),laterally long configuration (SRMD2), and substantially rectangularconfiguration (SRMD3). Although not particularly limited, the optimalarray configuration is determined by selecting the number of rows (forexample, in the range of 8 to 512) and the number of columns (forexample, in the range of 16 to 512) accordingly.

Each memory module in the semiconductor device is automaticallygenerated, for example, by specifying the number of rows and the numberof columns to an automatic design tool called a memory compiler. Thegenerated memory module is called a complied SRAM and the like asdescribed above. The compiled SRAM is automatically generated by usingthe layout of the various circuit components (for example, word driversand the like) that are defined in advance. Thus, it is difficult tooptimize the drive capability (transistor size) of the circuitcomponents (for example, word drivers and the like) for each memorymodule according to the array configuration. The semiconductor devicemay include ten or more complied SRAMs. In this case, in particular, theoptimization may be more difficult for each memory module. This wouldresult in the reduction in the operation margin (read margin, writemargin) as well as the delay in the access time, according to the arrayconfiguration as described with reference to FIGS. 24A, 24B, 25A and25B.

<Outline of the Write Assist Circuit (Main Characteristics of the FirstEmbodiment)>

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of an example of the function around thewrite assist circuit of the memory module in FIG. 1. In FIG. 5, a staticmemory module SRMDa typically includes a word driver WLD, a controlcircuit block CTLBK, a write assist timing generation circuit TDG1, aninput/output buffer IOB, write assist circuits WAST1 [0] to WAST1 [q],and a plurality of memory cells MC. WAST1 [0] controls the memory cellpower supply voltage ARVDD [0]. WAST1 [q] controls the memory cell powersupply voltage ARVDD [n]. Information of the number of rows XSET isprovided in the write assist timing generation circuit TDG1 in advance.XSET is the digital code representing the number of word lines includedin the particular SRMDa. The method of providing XSET is notparticularly limited, and XSET may be embedded into the circuit inadvance, or may be stored in a register, and the like, and loaded from anonvolatile memory or other media when the semiconductor device isinitialized. TDG1 outputs a write assist pulse signal WPT. At this time,the larger the number of rows is set by XSET, the wider the pulse width.

When the write operation is performed with respect to the memory cell MCcoupled to ARVDD [0], WAST1 [0] turns on a switch SWm to reduce thevoltage level of ARVDD [0] to a predetermined voltage level VM1,according to the write assist enable signal WTE. Further, when thevoltage level of ARVDD [0] is reduced, WAST1 [0] turns on a switch SWsin the pulse time of WPT to temporarily discharge the electric charge ofARVDD [0] to a voltage level VM2 (for example, the voltage level belowVM1). Thus, the reduction speed of the voltage level is controlled.Similarly, when the write operation is performed with respect to thememory cell MC coupled to ARVDD [n], WAST1 [q] turns on the switch SWmto reduce the voltage level of the ARVDD [n] to VM1, according to WTE.Further, when the voltage level of ARVDD [n] is reduced, WAST1 [q] turnson SWs in the pulse time of WPT to control the reduction speed of thevoltage level.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of an example of the effect in the memoryunit in FIG. 4, when the write assist circuit in FIG. 5 is applied toeach static memory module of the particular memory unit. In the memoryunit MEMU shown in FIG. 6, the extension direction of the word line (notshown) is the lateral direction (X-axis direction), and the extensiondirection of the bit line (not shown) and the memory cell power supplyline ARVDD is the longitudinal direction (Y-axis direction). The memoryunit MEMU includes a longitudinally long static memory module SRMD1 anda laterally long static memory module SRMD2. The number of rows in SRMD1is greater than in SRMD2. In other words, the length of SRMD1 in theY-axis direction is longer than that of SRMD2. Thus, a write assistpulse signal WPT with a wide pulse width is applied to a write assistcircuit WAST1_1 of SRMD1. Then, WPT with a narrow pulse width is appliedto a write assist circuit WAS1_2 of SRMD2.

Here, it is assumed that the drive capability of the switch SWm in FIG.5 is determined according to the minimum number of rows that the memorymodule can have, and that the number of rows of SRMD2 is slightlygreater than the minimum number of rows. In SRMD1 and SRMD2, if thememory cell power supply voltage ARVDD is reduced only by the control ofWTE without using WPT (the switch SWs in FIG. 5), the time to reach apredetermined voltage level changes according to the length (the amountof load) of the particular memory cell power supply line as shown in thecomparative example shown in FIG. 6. Here, SRMD2 will take more timethan SRMD1. As described above, when the time to reach the predeterminedtime increases, the write margin could be reduced as described withreference to FIG. 24B.

Thus, in the case of SRMD1, the rate of fall of ARVDD is accelerated byWPT with a wide pulse width to significantly reduce the time to reachthe predetermined voltage level. In the case of SRMD2, the rate of fallof ARVDD is slightly accelerated by WPT with a narrow pulse width toslightly reduce the particular time. In this way, it is possible toincrease the write margin regardless of the array configuration of thememory module. Note that the drive capability of the switch SWm in FIG.5 is determined, for example, according to the minimum number of rowsthat the memory module can have, or is set to a lower value. In theformer case, when the memory module has the minimum number of rows, forexample, it is designed so that the pulse is not input to WPT. In thelatter case, for example, it is designed so that the pulse is input toWET even if the memory module has the minimum number of rows.

Further, here, the change in the write margin associated with the arrayconfiguration is compensated by changing the pulse width of WPT.However, it is also possible to compensate the change in the writemargin by using a circuit configuration in which the switches SWm andSWs shown in FIG. 5 can be changed according to the circumstances. Inother words, for example, it is also possible to use a method in whichthe SWM and SWs include a plurality of switches coupled in parallel toselect the number of switches to be used according to the arrayconfiguration. However, in this case, it is necessary to use a largenumber of switches to change the drive capability in a wide range,potentially leading to the increase. This may result in the increase inthe circuit area or other areas. From this point of view, it ispreferable to use the method of adjusting according to the pulse widthof WPT as shown in FIG. 5.

<Details of the Write Assist Circuit>

FIG. 7A is a circuit diagram of a detailed configuration example of thewrite assist circuit in FIG. 5. FIG. 7B is a circuit diagram of anotherconfiguration example different from the case of FIG. 7A. FIG. 8 is awaveform diagram of an operation example of the write assist circuit inFIGS. 7A and 7B. First, the write assist circuit WAST1 a shown in FIG.7A includes a static unit VSBK including PMOS transistors MP10 to MP12and NMOS transistors MN10 and MN11. There is also provided a dynamicunit VDBK1 a including an NMOS transistor MN12. VSBK is a circuit forreducing the memory cell voltage level from a certain voltage level to apredetermined voltage level in the write operation. The main function ofVSBK is to set the predetermined voltage level and to constantly supplypower. VDBK1 a operates only in the switching of the voltage level.VSBK1 a is a circuit for controlling the switching speed of the voltagelevel. Conceptually, VSBK corresponds to the portion of the switch SWmin FIG. 5, and VDBK1 a corresponds to the portion of the switch SWs inFIG. 5.

In VSBK, MP10 and MP12 are coupled with the source/drain paths coupledin parallel between the power supply voltage VDDM and a common powersupply node CWSRC [0]. Further, MP11, MN11, and MN10 are coupled withthe source/drain paths coupled in series between CWSRC [0] and theground power supply voltage VSS, in which MP11 is provided on the sideof CWSRC [0] and MN10 is provided on the side of VSS. The gates of MP10and MN10 are controlled by the write assist enable signal WTE. Then, afixed voltage TE is applied to the gate of MP11. The voltage level ofCWSRC [0] is fed back to the gate of MN11. The voltage level of thecommon coupling node of MP11 and MN11 is fed back to the gate of MP 12.In VDBK1 a, MN12 is coupled with the source/drain path between CWSRC [0]and VSS, in which the gate is controlled by the write assist pulsesignal WPT.

Further, the common node CWSRC [0] is coupled to the memory cell powersupply lines ARVDD [0] to ARVDD [3], respectively, through thesource/drain paths of four PMOS transistors for this case. Here, it istypically shown a PMOS transistor MP21 corresponding to ARVDD [0], asone of the four PMOS transistors. The source/drain path of the PMOStransistor is also coupled between each of the memory cell power supplylines ARVDD [0] to ARVDD [3], and the power supply voltage VDDM. Here, aPMOS transistor MP20 20 is typically shown as the PMOS transistorcorresponding to ARVDD [0].

The gate of MP20 is controlled by a write column selection signal CWSE[0]. The gate of MP 21 is controlled by a read column selection signalCRSE [0]. MP20 and MP21 correspond to a part of the column selectioncircuit YSW in FIG. 1. Here, in the configuration shown in FIG. 1, oneI/O is assigned to four bit line pairs in the write operation. In otherwords, the write operation is performed with respect to one of the fourbit line pairs. Further, in the configuration shown in FIG. 7A, fourmemory cell power supply lines are assigned to one write assist circuit.

Here, for example, when data is written into the memory cell coupled toARVDD [0], both the write assist enable signal WTE and the write columnselection signal CWSE [0] are changed from the ‘L’ level to the ‘H’level as shown in the write cycle (T1) shown in FIG. 8. Then, the writecolumn selection signal CRSE [0] is changed from the ‘H’ level to the‘L’ level. At this time, the other write column selection signals (hereshows CWSE [1] corresponding to ARVDD [1] as an example) hold the ‘L’level, while the other read column selection signals (here shows CRSE[1] corresponding to ARVDD [1] as an example) hold the ‘H’ level. Inthis way, MP 20 is turned off, and ARVDD [0] is coupled to CWSRC [0]through MP21. Then, VDDM is applied to ARVDD [1] to ARVDD [3] throughthe PMOS transistor corresponding to MP20 of ARVDD [0].

Further, VDDM is applied to CWSRC [0] in VSBK through MP10 when WTE isat the ‘L’ level. At this time, MN10 and MP12 are turned off. On theother hand, when WTE is changed to the ‘H’ level, MP10 is turned off andMN10 is turned on. As a result, MN11 is turned on. At this time, TE isapplied to the gate of MP11 to have an appropriate on-resistance. Thus,the electric charge of CWSRC [0] is discharged through MP11, MN11, andMN10. Then, the voltage level of CWSRC [0] is reduced and MP12 is turnedon. Here, if the voltage level of CWSRC [0] is too low, the on-state ofMP12 increases while the on-state of MN11 decreases. Thus, the voltagelevel increases. On the other hand, if the voltage level is too high,the on-state of MP12 decreases while the on-state of MN11 increases.Thus, the voltage level decreases. As a result, the voltage level ofCWSRC [0] converges to a predetermined voltage level that is defined bythe ratio of the on-resistance when MP12, MP11, MN11, and MN10 arebalanced in the on-state. Then, the voltage level of CWSRC [0] ischanged to the voltage level of ARVDD [0] through MP21.

Further, in the write cycle (T1), an ‘H’ pulse is applied to the writeassist pulse signal WPT when WTE is changed to the ‘H’ level. Thus, MN12of VDBL1 a is turned on, and the electric charge of CWSRC [0] is quicklydischarged to VSS in the ‘H’ pulse time of WPT. Then, the voltage levelof CWSRC [0] decreases rapidly. Thus, it is possible to control thereduction speed of the voltage level of CWSRC [0] (ARVDD [0]) bycontrolling the ‘H’ pulse time of WPT. Then, when the write operation iscompleted, WTE and CWSE [0] are changed to the ‘L’ level, and CRSE [0]is changed to the ‘H’ level. In this way, the voltage level of bothCWSRC [0] and ARVDD [0] is returned to VDDM.

Next, the write assist circuit WAST1 b shown in FIG. 7B is differentfrom the WAST1 a shown in FIG. 7A in the circuit configuration of thedynamic unit. In FIG. 7B, the dynamic unit VDBK1 b of WAST1 b includes aPMOS transistor MP13 with the source-drain path coupled between thecommon coupling node of MP11 and MN11 in the static unit VSBK, and thecommon power supply node CWSRC [0]. The gate of MP13 is controlled bythe inverted signal (/WPT) of the write assist pulse signal WPT.

The excessive reduction of the voltage level of CWSRC [0] can be easilyprevented by using VDBK1 b shown in FIG. 7B, differently from the caseof using VDBK1 a shown in FIG. 7A. In other words, when the voltagelevel of CWSRC [0] is too low, NM11 of VSBK is turned off toautomatically stop the reduction of the voltage level. As a result, itis possible to simplify the timing design of the write assist pulsesignal WPT (/WPT). Further, for example, by using the static unit VSBKof feedback circuit type shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, it is possible togenerate a more stable voltage level compared to the case of generatinga predetermined voltage level by the simple resistance voltage dividingmethod. Note that each transistor in VSBK mainly has a function fordetermining the DC voltage level in the write cycle (T1), so that thetransistor size can be small. However, preferably the transistor inVDBK1 a and VDBK1 b has a relatively large drive capability in order toremove the electric charge at high speed. Thus, the transistor size inVDBK1 a and VDBK1 b is preferably greater than that of each transistorin VSBK.

<Details of the Write Assist Timing Generation Circuit>

FIG. 9 is a circuit diagram of a detailed configuration example of thewrite assist timing generation circuit shown in FIG. 5. The write assisttiming generation circuit TDG1 shown in FIG. 9 includes an invertercircuit IV1, a plurality of (here, three) delay circuit blocks DLYBK1 toDLYBK3, a NAND circuit ND1, and a buffer circuit BF. The write assistenable signal WTE is input to one of two inputs of the ND1. The invertedsignal of the WTE through IV1 is input to the other one of the twoinputs of ND1, sequentially through DLYBK1 to DLYBK3. BF buffers theoutput of ND1, and outputs the inverted signal (/WPT) of the writeassist pulse signal WPT. The inverted signal of WPT (/WPT) is input tothe write assist circuit WAST1 b ([0], [1], [2], and so on) having thecircuit configuration shown in FIG. 7B.

Each of DLYBK1 to DLYBK3 includes a selector circuit SEL. The selectorcircuit SEL includes two paths. Ends of the two paths are commonlycoupled to the input node of the delay circuit block. The other ends ofthe two paths are two inputs, and the output is coupled to the outputnode of the delay circuit block. A delay element DLY (for example, amulti-stage inverter circuit and the like) with a predetermined amountof delay is inserted into one of the two paths. The output node ofDLYTBK1 is coupled to the input node of DlYBK2. The output node ofDLYTBK2 is coupled to the input node of DLYBK3. Here, the selection(namely, whether through DLY or not) of SEL included in each of thedelay circuit blocks DLYBK1 to DLYBK3, is performed based on theinformation of the number of rows XSET.

As described above, the ‘H’ pulse of WTE is input to one of the twoinputs of ND1. Then, the signal delayed by the ‘L’ pulse based on XSET,which is the inverted signal of the ‘H’ pulse, is input to the otherinput of ND1. As a result, ND1 outputs the ‘L’ pulse signal with thedelay time determined based on XSET as the pulse width. Note that eachof the delay elements DLY included in DLYBK1 to DLYBK3 is preferablyweighted. For example, the delay of each DLY in DLYBK1:DLYBK2:DLYBK3 isset to a 1:2:4 ratio, and the like, in order to adjust the pulse widthin the range of 0 to 7 according to the value of XSET.

<Outline of the Writing Assist Circuit (Modification)>

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of an example of the function around thewrite assist circuit, which is partially different from the case of FIG.5. A static memory module SRMDa in FIG. 10 includes write assistcircuits WAST2 [0] to WAST2 [q], instead of WAST1 [0] to WAST1 [q] shownin FIG. 5. Each of the write assist circuits WAST2 [0] to WAST2 [q] doesnot include the portion of the switch SWm for the write assist enablesignal WTE in FIG. 5, but includes only the switch SWs for the writeassist pulse signal WPT. More specifically, for example in FIG. 7A, eachof WAST2 [0] to WAST2 [q] does not include the static unit VSBK butincludes only the dynamic unit VDBK1 a.

In general, the current consumption is very small in the SRAM memorycell, so that the static unit is not included in the SRAM memory cell.In this case, the voltage level can also be maintained for a certainperiod of time, by reducing the memory cell power supply voltage to apredetermined voltage level by the dynamic unit (switch SWs), and byturning off SWs to switch the memory cell power supply line to a highimpedance state. Thus, it is also possible to form the write assistcircuit with the configuration shown in FIG. 10, in which a reduction inthe circuit area and the like can be achieved. However, when the memorycell power supply line is switched to the high impedance state, forexample, malfunction or other problems may occur due to the mixture ofexternal noise or other factors. From this point of view, it ispreferable to use the configuration example shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of an example of the effect in the memoryunit in FIG. 4, when the write assist circuit in FIG. 10 is applied toeach static memory module of the particular memory unit. The memory unitMEMU shown in FIG. 11 includes the longitudinal long static memorymodule SRMD1, and the laterally long static memory module SRMD2,similarly to FIG. 6. The number of rows in SRMD1 is greater than inSRMD2. In other words, the length in the Y-axis direction is longer inSRMD1. Thus, the write assist pulse signal WPT with a wide pulse widthis applied to a write assist circuit WAST2_1 of SRMD1. Then, WPT with anarrow pulse width is applied to a write assist circuit WAST2_2 ofSRMD2.

For example, in FIG. 10, the drive capability of the switch SWs and thepulse width of WPT are the same in SRMD1 and SRMD2. In this case, thevoltage level of the reduced memory cell power supply voltage ARVDD candiffer depending on the length (the amount of the load) of the memorycell power supply line as shown in the comparative example shown in FIG.11. Here it is shown that the voltage level of ARVDD is too high inSRMD1 and the voltage level of ARVDD is too low in SRMD2. If the voltagelevel of ARVDD is too high, the write margin could be reduced asdescribed above. If the voltage level of ARVDD is too low, for example,the latch operation could not be sufficient for the completion of thewrite operation, or the latch capability could not be enough in thenon-written memory cell coupled to the particular ARVDD. Thus, as shownin FIG. 11, the pulse width of WPT is changed according to the length(the number of word lines (or rows)) of the memory cell power supplyline. In this way, the voltage level of ARVDD can be kept constantregardless of the array configuration. As a result, it is possible toavoid the situations described above.

As described above, by using the semiconductor device according to thefirst embodiment, it is typically possible to increase the operationmargin of the static memory modules included in the semiconductordevice.

<Other Modifications>

In the above description, the electric charge is removed from the memorycell line by adjusting the pulse width. However, for example, it ispossible to adjust the size (for example, the gate width) of thetransistors MN12 and MP13 in FIGS. 7A and 7B, instead of adjusting thepulse width. In other words, in the two memory modules, the transistorsize of the transistors MN12 and MP13 is greater in the memory modulewith a large number of word lines than in the memory module with a smallnumber of word lines. Note that a plurality of transistors can beprovided. In this case, the sum (or drive capability) of the size (gatewidth) of the transistors with a large number of word lines, is greaterthan that of the transistors with a small number of word lines. Thus, itis possible to increase the capability to remove the electric charge ofthe memory cell power supply line of the memory module with a largernumber of word lines.

Second Embodiment <Outline of Around the Write Assist Timing GenerationCircuit (Modification)>

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of a configuration example around thewrite assist timing generation circuit different from that in FIG. 5, ina semiconductor device according to a second embodiment. In FIG. 12,similarly to FIG. 5, the static memory module typically includes theword driver block WLD, control circuit block CTLBK, input/output buffercircuit IOB, write assist circuits WAST1 [0] to WAST1 [q], and aplurality of memory cells MC. Further, in FIG. 12, SRMDb includes awrite assist timing generation circuit TDG2 that is different from FIG.5. In addition, a rows dummy load circuit XDMY is newly added to SRMDb.

The rows dummy load circuit XDMY has a size in the Y-axis direction thatis proportional to the size (the number of word lines (rows)) in theY-axis direction of the word driver block WLD. The larger the size inthe Y-axis direction the larger the delay generated by XDMY. Typically,the size of XDMY in the Y-axis direction is set to the same value as thesize in the Y-axis direction of WLD. The write assist timing generationcircuit TDG2 is different from TDGI of FIG. 5 in that the information ofthe number of rows XSET is not input to TDG2. However, TDG2 obtains thenumber of rows by the delay generated by XDMY, and outputs the writeassist pulse signal WPT with the pulse width according to the particulardelay. Each of WAST1 [0] to WAST1 [q] controls the rate of fall of thememory cell power supply voltages ARVDD [0] to ARVDD [n] by WPT in thewrite operation, similarly to FIG. 5.

With this configuration example, it is possible to generate the delayaccording to the number of rows easily or more accurately by using XDMY.As a result, it is possible to achieve easy or precise control of therate of fall of the memory cell power supply voltage using the writeassist circuit. That is, for example, when the pulse width of WPT isadjusted by TDG1 in FIG. 9 as described above, the pulse width iscontrolled digitally with a predetermined step size. In order toprecisely reflect the number of rows in the pulse width of WPT, it isnecessary to reduce the delay of each delay element DLY and to provide alarge number of delay circuit blocks (DLYBK). In this case, it couldlead to problems such as the increase in the circuit area and thecomplexity of the circuit. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 12, whenthe pulse width is controlled by XDMY, it is possible to generate largedelay by using the parasitic elements (parasitic capacitance, parasiticresistance) of XDMY as the size (namely, the number of rows) of XDMY isincreased. Thus, the analog control of the pulse width can befacilitated. In addition, since the information of the number of rowsXSET is not used, it is possible to remove the burden of setting XSET.

<Details of the Write Assist Timing Generation Circuit (Modification)>

FIG. 13 is a circuit diagram of a detailed configuration example of therows dummy load circuit and the write assist timing generation circuitshown in FIG. 12. In FIG. 13, the rows dummy load circuit XDMY includesinverter circuits IV10 to IV12, two dummy bit lines DBL1 and DBL2, andcapacitances C1 and C2. Here, the dummy bit lines DBL1 and DBL2 extendin parallel in the Y-axis direction (the extension direction of the bitline (not shown) and the memory cell power supply line ARVDD). IV10receives a write assist enable signal WTE as an input, and outputs theinverted signal to an end of DBL1. IV11 receives a signal from the otherend of DBL1 as an input, and outputs the inverted signal to an end ofDBL2. IV12 receives a signal from the other side of DBL2 as an input,and outputs the inverted signal to the write assist timing generationcircuit TDG2. Here, DBL1 is the outward line and DBL2 is the returnline.

The line length of DBL1 and DBL2 is defined according to the size in theY-axis direction of the word driver block WLD as described above. Thecapacitance C1 is coupled between DBL1 and the ground power supplyvoltage VSS. The capacitance C2 is coupled between DBL2 and VSS. Theparasitic capacitance of DBL21 is included in C1, and the parasiticcapacitance of DBL2 is included in C2. Thus, the longer the dummy bitlines DBL1 and DLB2, the larger the capacitance values of C1 and C2.Further, C1 and C2 may include a separately formed capacitance element.More specifically, for example, it is possible to use a circuitconfiguration and layout so that the capacitance element (for example,diffusion layer capacitance, MOS capacitance, and the like) is added toDBL1 and DBL2 at fixed length intervals. In this case also, the longerthe DBL1 and DLB2, the larger the capacitance values of C1 and C2.

XDMY delays the ‘H’ pulse of WTE input from IV10 mainly by the timecorresponding to the parasitic resistance values of DBL1 and DBL2 and tothe capacitance values of C1 and C2. Then, XDMY outputs the ‘L’ pulsethrough IV12. In the write assist timing generation circuit TDG2 shownin FIG. 13, the inverter circuit IV1 and the delay path including thedelay circuit blocks DLYBK1 to DLYBK3 are removed from TDG1 shown inFIG. 9. Instead, the particular path is replaced by a delay path throughXDMY.

That is, WTE is input to one of the two inputs of the NAND circuit ND1.Then, a signal obtained by delaying and inverting WTE through XDMY,which is the output signal of IV12, is input to the other of the twoinputs of ND1. In this way, similarly to the case of TDG1, ND1 outputsthe ‘L’ pulse signal with the delay time based on XDMY as the pulsewidth. The ‘L’ pulse signal is converted to the inverted signal (/WPT)of the write assist pulse signal WPT through the buffer circuit BF. Thewrite assist circuit WAST1 b ([0], [1], [2], and so on) controls therate of fall of the memory cell power supply voltage ARVDD by using theinverted signal (/WPT). As a result, it is possible to increase thewrite margin regardless of the array configuration. Note that XDMY inFIG. 13 sets the delay time by using one pair of to-and-from lines(DBL1, DBL2). However, it may also be possible to set the delay time byproviding two or more pairs of to-and-from lines.

As described above, by using the semiconductor device according to thesecond embodiment, it is typically possible to increase the operationmargin of the static memory modules included in the semiconductordevice. In general, the difference in the number of rows in the memorymodules described in the first and second embodiments differs by a powerof two. For example, it is assumed that the number of word lines (rows)of one memory module is 256 (multiplied by two to the eighth power). Inthis case, when the number of word lines of the other memory module isless than 256, the number is for example 128 (multiplied by two to theseventh power). When the number of word lines (rows) is more than 256,the number is for example 512 (multiplied by two to the ninth power).

Third Embodiment <Outline of the Word Driver Power Supply Circuit Block(Main Characteristics of Third Embodiment)>

FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram of an example of the characteristics ofthe word driver power supply circuit block included in each staticmemory module in the memory unit shown in FIG. 4, in a semiconductordevice according to a third embodiment of the present invention. Thememory unit MEMU shown in FIG. 14 includes a longitudinally long staticmemory module SRMD1 and a laterally long static memory module SRMD2, inwhich the extension direction of the word line WL is the lateraldirection (X-axis direction), and the extension direction of the worddriver power supply line WLVDD is the longitudinal direction (Y-axisdirection).

SRMD1 includes a word driver block WLD1 including word drivers WDcorresponding to the number of word lines WL in a memory array MARY1.Further, SRMD1 also includes a word driver power supply circuit blockVGEN1 for supplying a word driver power supply voltage through WLVDD toeach WD in WLD1. Similarly, SRMD2 includes a word driver block WLD2including word drivers WD corresponding to the number of word lines WLin a memory array MARY2. Further, SRMD2 also includes a word driverpower supply circuit block VGEN2 for supplying a word driver powersupply voltage through WLVDD to each WD in WLD2.

In the configuration example shown in FIG. 14, the size (drivecapability) of VGEN1 is greater than that of VGEN2. More specifically,the gate width of the transistors (namely, the gate width of thetransistors MP30 to MP32, and MP 30 in FIG. 16) in the word driver powersupply circuit block is large. As described with reference to FIG. 3 andthe like, VGEN1 and VGEN2 have the function to reduce the voltage levelof the word driver power supply line (word driver power supply voltage)WLVDD in the read operation (write operation). In this way, it ispossible to increase the static noise margin (SNM), thus increasing theread margin. However, if the size (drive capability) of the word driverpower supply circuit block is the same in SRMD1 and SRMD2, the followingproblems may occur.

First of all, in SRMD1, the word driver power supply line WLVDD is long,namely, the load is large. Thus, as shown in the comparative exampleshown in FIG. 14, it could take some time to reduce the word driverpower supply voltage WLVDD to a predetermined voltage level. Inaddition, the word line WL is short in SRMD1, namely, the load is small.Thus, as shown in the comparative example shown in FIG. 14, the rate ofrise of WL is high, which could result in an overshoot in the voltagelevel of WL. As a result, as described with reference to FIG. 25B, thevoltage level of WL would be likely to be too high to provide asufficient read margin in SRMD1.

On the other hand, in SRMD2, the length of WLVDD is short, namely, theload is small. Thus, as shown in the comparative example shown in FIG.14, WLVDD is quickly reduced to the predetermined voltage level,potentially resulting in an undershoot. In addition, the length of WL islong, namely, the load is large in SRMD2. Thus, as shown in thecomparative example shown in FIG. 14, the rate of rise of WL is delayed.As a result, as described with reference to FIG. 25A, the rate of riseof WL would be likely to be too slow to increase the access time inSRMD2.

Thus, according to the third embodiment, one of the main characteristicsof the semiconductor device is that the larger the number of rows (wordlines) and the smaller the number of columns (bit line pairs), thelarger the size (drive capability) of the word driver power supplycircuit block VGEN. In other words, when the number of rows is large,the rate of rise of WLVDD is increased by increasing the drivecapability of VGEN in order to ensure the read margin. On the otherhand, when the number of rows is small, the excess voltage reduction ofWLVDD is prevented by reducing the drive capability of VGEN to provideenough rate of rise (access time) of the word line. Further, when thenumber of columns is small, the rate of fall of WLVDD is increased byincreasing the drive capability VGEN to prevent the word line voltagelevel from being excessively high, in order to ensure the read margin.On the other hand, when the number of columns is large, the drivecapability of VGEN is reduced to provide a sufficiently high voltage toWLVDD, in order to prevent the rate of rise (access time) of the wordline from being delayed.

In the configuration example in FIG. 14, SRMD1 has a large number ofrows and a small number of columns, in which the drive capability (size)of VGEN1 is large. On the other hand, SRMD2 has a small number of rowsand a large number of columns, in which the drive capability (size) issmall. As a result, as shown in FIG. 14, the word driver power supplyvoltage WLVDD is reduced to an appropriate voltage level at anappropriate rate of fall. Further, the rate of rise of the word line WLis also controlled to an appropriate rate. Thus, it is possible toprovide a sufficient read margin and enough access time regardless ofthe memory array configuration.

FIGS. 15A to 15C are schematic diagrams of the relationship between thesizes of the word driver power supply circuit blocks when the arrayconfiguration of each static memory module in the memory unit isdifferent from the case of FIG. 14. First, in FIG. 15A, the memory unitMEMU includes two static memory modules SRMD4, SRMD5 with the samenumber of columns. However, the number of rows is different in SRMD4 andSRMD5. SRMD4 has a memory array MARY4 in which X4 also represents thesize (the number of columns) in the X-axis direction, and Y4 representsthe size (the number of rows) in the Y-axis direction. SRMD5 has amemory array MARY5 in which X4 represents the size (the number columns)in the X-axis direction, and Y5 represents the size (the number of rows)in the Y-axis direction. Here, Y4>Y5, so that the size (drivecapability) of the word driver power supply circuit block VGEN4 is setto be larger than the size (drive capability) of the word driver powersupply circuit block VGEN5 of SRMD5.

Next, in FIG. 15B, MEMU includes two static memory modules SRMD4, SRMD6with the same number of rows. However, the number of columns isdifferent in SRMD4 and SRMD6. SRMD4 includes MARY4 with X4 and Y4 asdescribed above. SRMD6 includes a memory array MARY6, in which X6represents the size (the number of columns) in the X-axis direction, andY4 is represents the size (the number of rows) in the Y-axis direction.Here, X4>X6, so that the size (drive capability) of the word driverpower supply circuit block VGEN6 of SRMD6 is set to be larger than thesize (drive capability) of VGEN4 of SRMD4. Next, in FIG. 15C, MEMUincludes two static memory modules SRMD4, SRMD7 with a different numberof rows and a different number of columns, respectively. SRMD4 includesMARY4 with X4 and Y4 as described above. SRMD7 includes a memory arrayMARY7, in which X7 represents the size (the number of columns) in theX-axis direction, and Y7 represents the size (the number of rows) in theY-axis direction. Here, Y4>Y7 but X4>X7. Thus, the size (drivecapability) of the word driver power supply circuit block VGEN7 ofSRMD7, and the size (drive capability) of VGEN4 of SRMD4 can be thesame.

In the above description, the size is the same between the two staticmemory modules. More specifically, the number of rows is the same or thenumber of columns is the same between the two static memory modules.However, a small difference is allowed, and it is possible that the sizeis substantially the same in the two static memory modules. In general,the number of rows and the number of columns are a power of two. Forexample, if the number of rows of the first static memory module is 512(multiplied to two to the ninth power), there may be a difference of,for example, about 10 from 512 in the second static memory module. Atthis time, the difference may include a redundant line. On the otherhand, if the numbers are 256 (multiplied by two to the eighth power) and1024 (multiplied by two to the tenth power), namely, if the numbers aredifferent by a power of two in the first and second static memorymodules, they are not considered to be in the same range.

<Details Around the Word Driver Power Supply Circuit Block>

FIG. 16 is a circuit diagram of a detailed configuration example of theword driver power supply block, the word driver block, and the memoryarray in each static memory module shown in FIG. 14. FIG. 17 is awaveform diagram of an operation example of the word driver power supplycircuit block in FIG. 16. In FIG. 16, a word driver power supply circuitblock VGENa includes PMOS transistors M230 to MP32 and an NMOStransistor MN 30. MP30 is coupled with the source/drain path between thepower supply voltage VDDM and the word driver power supply line (theword driver power supply voltage) WLVDD. MP31 and MP32 are coupled inparallel with the source/drain paths between WLVDD and the drain ofMN30. The source of MN30 is coupled to the ground power supply voltageVSS. The gates of MP30 to MP32 are controlled by enable signals EN1 toEN3, respectively. The gate of MN30 is controlled by an enable signalVDDEN.

A word driver block WLDa includes (m+1) word drivers WD [0] to WD [m].Each of WD [0] to WD [m] is a CMOS inverter circuit including a PMOStransistor MP40 and an NMOS transistor MN40. The power voltage of theCMOS inverter circuit is commonly supplied through the word driver powersupply line WLVDD from VGENa. The memory array MARY includes (m+1) wordlines WL [0] to WL [m], (n+1) bit line pairs (BL [0], ZBL [0]) to (BL[n], ZBL [n]), and a plurality of (here, (m+1)×(n+1)) memory cells MClocated at the intersections of the word lines and the bit line pairs.WL [0] to WL [m] are driven by WD [0] to WD [m] of WLDa, respectively.

VGENa performs the operations shown in FIG. 17 in the read operation(write operation). First, when the decode start signal TDEC shown inFIGS. 1 and 3 is at the ‘L’ level, EN1 and EN2 are at the ‘L’ level andVDDEN is at the ‘L’ level. Thus, in VGENa, M230 and MP31 are turned onand MN30 is turned off. Thus, the word driver power supply voltage WLVDDis changed to VDDM. Then, when TDEC is changed to the ‘H’ level in theread operation (write operation), VDDEN is also changed to the ‘H’level. As a result, the voltage level of WLVDD is reduced from VDDM to avoltage level defined by the on-resistance ratio of MP30, MP31, andMN30.

At this time, EN3 is set to the ‘H’ level or the ‘L’ level in advance.If EN3 is set to the ‘L’ level, MP32 is turned on. The on-resistance inthe parallel circuit of MP31 and MP32 is reduced. Thus, the reduction inthe voltage level of WLVDD is increased compared to the case in whichEN3 is set to the ‘H’ level. For example, the setting of EN3 isperformed according to the amount of the power supply voltage VDDM(corresponding to the power supply voltage of VGENa and to the powersupply voltage of the memory cell MC) used in the read operation.

For example, when the static memory module includes a normal operationmode and a high-speed operation mode, the voltage level of the VDDM isset to be higher in the high-speed operation mode than in the normaloperation mode. In this case, the static noise margin (SNM) (readmargin) may be reduced compared to the case of the normal operationmode, due to threshold voltage fluctuations in each transistor of MC.Thus, the magnitude of the reduction in the voltage level of WLVDD isincreased in the high-speed operation mode, compared to the normaloperation mode. In this way, it is possible to compensate the reductionof the read margin. It goes without saying that the function associatedwith EN3, MP32 can be omitted.

In parallel to the operation of VGENa, as shown in FIG. 17, the worddriver WD [s] (s is an integer of 0 to m) to be selected in WLDaactivates the corresponding word line WL [s] as a result of thetransition of TDEC to the ‘H’ level. At this time, the voltage level ofWL [s] is defined by the voltage level of WLVDD described above. Then,when TDEC is changed to the ‘L’ level, WL [s] is activated through WD[s]. Further, VDDEN is returned to the ‘L’ level. Then, the voltagelevel of WLVDD is also returned to VDDM.

Here, in the configuration example shown in FIG. 16, the larger thenumber of rows (word lines) (m+1) or the smaller the number of columns(bit line pairs) (n+1), the larger the transistor size of each of theMOS transistors (MP30 to MP32, MN30) in VGENa. In this way, it ispossible to provide a sufficient read margin and enough access time,regardless of the memory array configuration, as described withreference to FIG. 14.

As described above, by using the semiconductor device according to thethird embodiment, it is typically possible to increase the operationmargin of the static memory modules included in the semiconductordevice. In addition, it is possible to speed up the static memorymodules.

Fourth Embodiment <Details Around the Word Driver Power Supply CircuitBlock (Modification [1])>

FIG. 18 is a circuit diagram of a detailed configuration example of theword driver power supply circuit block, the word driver block, and thememory array in each static memory module shown in FIG. 14, in asemiconductor device according to a fourth embodiment of the presentinvention. The configuration example in FIG. 18 is different from theconfiguration example in FIG. 16 in the internal configuration of theword driver power supply circuit block. Other configurations are thesame as those shown in FIG. 16, and thus their detailed description willbe omitted. In FIG. 18, a word driver power supply circuit block VGENbincludes (p+1) word driver power supply circuits VG [0] to VG [p].

Each of VG [0] to VG [p] includes PMOS transistors MP30 to MP32 and anNMOS transistor MN30, similarly to the case of VGENa shown in FIG. 16.The gates of MP30 to MP32 included in each of VG [0] to VG [p] arecommonly controlled by the enable signals EN1 to EN3, respectively.Also, the gates of MN 30 included in VG [0] to VG [p] are commonlycontrolled by the enable signal VDDEN, respectively. Then, the drains ofMP30 (the sources of MP31, MP32) included in VG [0] to VG [p] arecommonly coupled to output the word driver power supply voltage WLVDDfrom the particular common coupling node.

Here, in the configuration example shown in FIG. 18, it is found thatthe larger the number of rows (word lines) and the smaller the number ofcolumns (bit line pairs), the larger the number of word driver powersupply circuits (the value of “p” in VG [0] to VG [p]). That is, in theconfiguration example shown in FIG. 16, the drive capability of WLVDD isadjusted by the size of each MOS transistor itself, assuming that theMOS transistors included in VG [0] to VG [p] have the same size.However, in the configuration example shown in FIG. 18, the drivecapability is adjusted by the number of word driver power supplycircuits. From the point of view of circuit design, in the configurationexample shown in FIG. 16, the MOS transistors are coupled in parallel toadjust the drive capability by the number of transistors coupled inparallel. In this way, it is possible to provide a sufficient readmargin and enough access time, regardless of the memory arrayconfiguration, as described with reference to FIG. 14.

The method shown in FIG. 18 is more suitable for the compiled SRAM thanthe method shown in FIG. 16. For example, when the method of FIG. 16 isused, it may be necessary to prepare a plurality of layout cells withdifferent transistor sizes. However, the method of FIG. 18 requires onlyone layout cell. Further in the configuration example shown in FIG. 18,for example, MP31 and MP32 can have the same threshold voltagecharacteristics as the load transistors (MP1, MP2 in FIG. 2) included inthe memory cell MC. In this case, fluctuations in the threshold voltageof MP1 and MP2 in MC are also reflected in MP31 and MP32 in each worddriver power supply circuit. Thus, it is possible to correct the voltagelevel of WLVDD according to the fluctuations in the threshold voltage ofMP1 and MP2.

As described above, by using the semiconductor device according to thefourth embodiment, similarly to the third embodiment, it is typicallypossible to increase the operation margin of the static memory modulesincluded in the semiconductor device. In addition, it is possible tospeed up the static memory modules.

Fifth Embodiment <Details Around the Word Driver Power Supply CircuitBlock (Modification [2])>

FIG. 19 is a circuit diagram of a detailed configuration example of theword driver power supply circuit block, the word driver block, and thememory array in each static memory module shown in FIG. 14, in asemiconductor device according to a fifth embodiment of the presentinvention. The configuration example in FIG. 19 is different from theconfiguration example in FIG. 18 mainly in the output destination ofeach word driver power supply circuit in the word driver power supplycircuit block. Here, the description will focus on this difference. Aword driver power supply circuit block VGENb′ in FIG. 19 includes (p+1)word driver power supply circuits VG [0] to VG [p] that are commonlycontrolled by the enable signals EN1 to EN3 and VDDEN, similarly to thecase of VGENb shown in FIG. 18.

Further, a word driver block WLDa′ in FIG. 19 includes (m+1) worddrivers WD ([0], . . . , [d], [d+1], . . . [2d+1], . . . , . . . [m−d],. . . , [m]) that are arranged in this order in the extension directionof the bit line pairs. Power is supplied to (m+1) WD through one worddriver power supply line WLVDD extending in the extension direction ofthe bit line pair. Here, a coupling node exists for every (d+1) WDs overWLVDD. The word driver power supply circuits VG [0] to VG [p] performoutput to different coupling nodes, respectively. In other words, VG [0]performs output to the coupling node adjacent to WD [0], VG [1] performsoutput to the coupling node adjacent to WD [d+1], and so on. Then, VG[p] performs output to the coupling node adjacent to WD [m−d].

As described above, the word driver supply circuits VG [0] to VG [p]supply power to the nodes separated at a fixed distance in the worddriver power supply line WLVDD. Thus, it is possible to reduce aso-called difference between far and near on WLVDD, for example,compared to the case of supplying power from only one terminal of WLVDD.That is, for example, when the voltage level of WLVDD is reduced byusing the word driver power supply circuit in the read operation, thearrival time of the voltage level may differ between the word driverlocated near the word driver power supply circuit and the word driverlocated far from the word driver power supply circuit. In this case, adifference may occur in the read margin and the like in each memory cellMC in the memory array MARY. This difference can be reduced by supplyingpower to the separated nodes as described above.

Note that transistor sizes Wp [0] (Wn [0]) to Wp [p] (Wn [p]) in VG [0]to VG [p] can be the same or can be slightly different. In other words,even if the output destinations of VG [0] to VG [p] are distributed, adifference similar to the difference between far and near describedabove may occur on WLVDD, due to the load balance between the transistorsize of each word driver power supply circuit and the transistor size ofeach word driver, or other factors. Such a difference can be furtherreduced by an appropriate adjustment of each transistor size in VG [0]to VG [p].

As described above, by using the semiconductor device according to thefifth embodiment, it is typically possible to increase the operationmargin of the static memory modules included in the semiconductordevice. In addition, it is possible to speed up the static memorymodules.

Sixth Embodiment <Details Around the Word Driver Power Supply CircuitBlock (Modification [3])>

FIG. 20 is a circuit diagram of a detailed configuration example of theword driver power supply circuit block, the word driver block, and thememory array in each static memory module shown in FIG. 14, in asemiconductor device according to a sixth embodiment of the presentinvention. The configuration example in FIG. 20 is different from theconfiguration example in FIG. 19 in that the word driver power supplyline WLVDD is divided into (p+1) word driver power supply lines WLVDD[0] to WLVDD [p]. Other configurations are the same as those shown inFIG. 19, and thus their detailed description will be omitted.

WLVDD [0] is coupled to an output of the word driver power supplycircuit VG [0] in the word driver power supply circuit block VGENb′.Similarly, WLVDD [1] is coupled to an output of VG [1] in VGENb′, and soon. Then, WLVDD [p] is coupled to an output of VG [p] in VGENb′. Theword driver block WLDb includes (m+1) word drivers WD ([0], . . . , [d],[d+1], . . . [2d+1], . . . , . . . , [m−d], . . . , [m]), similarly toFIG. 19. However, different from the case of FIG. 19, power is suppliedto each of (d+1) word drivers through different word driver power supplylines, respectively. In other words, power is supplied to WD [0] to WD[d] through WLVDD [0]. Similarly, power is supplied to WD [d+l] to WD[2d+1] through WLVDD [1], and so on. Then, power is supplied to WD [m−d]to WD [m] through WLVDD [p]. With this configuration example, the sameeffect as in the case of FIG. 19 can also be obtained. However, thecharacteristics could vary for each of VG [0] to VG [p]. From this pointof view, it is preferable to use the configuration example shown in FIG.19 in order to average the characteristic variation.

As described above, similarly to the third embodiment, by using thesemiconductor device according to the sixth embodiment, it is typicallypossible to increase the operation margin of the static memory modules.In addition, it is possible to speed up the static memory modules.

Seventh Embodiment <Layout Example of the Word Driver Power SupplyCircuit>

FIGS. 21A and 21B are top views each showing a schematic layout exampleof each word driver circuit in the static memory module in asemiconductor device according to a seventh embodiment of the presentinvention. FIGS. 21A and 21B show the layout example of the memory arrayMARY, the word driver block WLD, and the word driver power supplycircuit VG in the static memory module SRMD. In FIG. 21A, the number ofrows is large, so that the memory array MARY is divided into a pluralityof memory arrays (here, three memory arrays MARY [0] to MARY [2]) in theY-axis direction (the extension direction of the bit line (not shown)).

Here, there are provided tap regions TAP [0] to TAP [3] on both sides ofeach memory array in the Y-axis direction. Here, MARY [0] is providedbetween TAP [0] and TAP [1], MARY [1] is provided between TAP [1] andTAP [2], and MARY [2] is provided between TAP [2] and TAP [3]. Note thatthe tap region is the region for supplying power to p-type and n-typewells included in each memory array. For example, one memory array witha large number of rows is provided in which tap regions are formed onboth sides of the memory array in the Y-axis direction to supply power.In this case, the power supply may not be sufficient in the vicinity ofthe center of the memory array in the Y-axis direction. Thus, it isuseful to divide and provide the memory array with the tap regionsformed between each of the divided memory array as shown in FIG. 21A.

Further, in the X-axis direction (the extension direction of the wordline (not shown)), the word driver block WLD [0] is located next to MARY[0]. Similarly, the word driver block WLD [1] is located next to MARY[1], and the word driver block WLD [2] is located next to MARY [2]. Inthe Y-axis direction, the size of each of MARY [0] to MARY [2] and thesize of each of WLD [0] to WLD [2] are the same. Further, in the X-axisdirection, the size of each of MARY [0] to MARY [2] and the size of eachof TAP [0] and TAP [3] are the same. Thus, it is possible to providefree space in the area between two word driver blocks in the Y-axisdirection and adjacent to the tap region in the X-axis direction. Theword driver power supply circuits VG [0] to VG [3] are distributed usingthis free space. VG [0] to VG [3] are located adjacent to TAP [0] to TAP[3] in the X-axis direction, respectively.

On the other hand, the number of rows is small in FIG. 21B. Thus, onememory array MARY [0] is provided in the Y-axis direction (the extensiondirection of the bit line (not shown)). Similarly to FIG. 21A, tapregions TAP [0] and TAP [1] are formed on both sides of MARY [0] in theY-axis direction. Further, the word driver block WLD [0] is located nextto MARY [0] in the X-axis direction. Then, the word driver power supplycircuits VG [0] and VG [1] are located next to TAP [0] and TAP [1],respectively.

This layout example is effective for the method of increasing the numberof word driver power supply circuits as the number of rows increases(namely, for the configuration example described above with reference toFIGS. 19 and 20). More specifically, first, it is effective because thefree space can be used, from the point of view of the layout area. Inaddition, as seen from FIG. 21A, the design tool can automaticallygenerate the layout the complied SRAM, for example, by regularlyarranging the regions of WLD [0], MARY [0], VG [0], and TAP [0] as aunit according to the number of rows. Thus, the process can be made moreefficient. Note that the influence of the number of columns should bereflected in the word driver power supply circuit as described above.The reflection of the number of columns can be achieved by anappropriate adjustment of the transistor size in each of VG [0] to VG[3] shown in FIG. 21A, namely, by the method of FIG. 16 or othermethods.

FIG. 22 is a top view of a schematic layout example of a part of thearea of the static memory module shown in FIG. 21A. For example, FIG. 22shows the detailed layout example around VG [1] and TAP [1] in FIG. 21A.In FIG. 22, n-type wells NW1 to NW3 and p-type wells PW1 to PW3 arealternately arranged in the order of NW1, PW1, NW2, PW2, NW3, and PW3 inthe X-axis direction. Note that actually n-type wells and p-type wellsare also located next to PW3 according to the number of columns, butthat is omitted here. The word driver block WLD is formed in NW1 andPW1. Then, the memory array MARY is formed in PW1, NW2, PW2, NW3, PW3,and so on.

In WLD, a plurality of gate layers GT extending in parallel in theX-axis direction are provided over the top (z-axis direction) of NW1 andPW1, through the gate insulating film. In NW1, p-type semiconductorlayers (diffusion layers) DFP are formed on both sides (Y-axisdirection) of the gate layers GT to implement a plurality of PMOStransistors. In PW1, n-type semiconductor layers (diffusion layers) DFNare formed on both sides of the gate layers GT to implement a pluralityof NMOS transistors. Further, an n⁺ type semiconductor layer (diffusionlayer) N+ extending in the X-axis direction is formed in NW1. Then, a p⁺type semiconductor layer (diffusion layer) P+ extending in the X-axisdirection is formed in PW1. N+ serves as a power supply layer of NW1,and P+ serves as a power supply layer of PW1. The n⁺ type has a higherimpurity concentration than the n type. The p⁺ type has a higherimpurity concentration than the p type.

Further, NW1 and PW1 include a formation region VG_AREA of the worddriver power supply circuit described above. For example, it is assumedthat VG_AREA in FIG. 22 corresponds to VG [1] in FIG. 21A. In this case,WLD [0] in FIG. 21A is formed on one of the two sides of VG_AREA in theY-axis direction in FIG. 22. Then, WLD [1] in FIG. 21A is formed on theother side of VG_AREA. Although the layout example of VG_AREA is omittedin FIG. 22, PMOS and NMOS transistors are implemented in a similar wayto the word driver WLD. Thus, a predetermined circuit is formed.

Here, in MARY, one memory MC is formed by two p-type wells (for example,PW1 and PW2) and one n-type well (for example, NW2) interposed betweenthe two p-type wells. In MC, two gate layers GT extending in parallel inthe X-axis direction are formed over PW1. Also, two gate layers GTextending in parallel in the X-axis direction are formed over PW2. Then,one of the two gate layers GT over PW1, as well as one of the two gatelayers GT over PW2 continuously extend in the X-axis direction over NW2.In this way, the two gate layers GT are formed over NW2. Actually, eachGT is formed through the gate insulating film.

The n-type semiconductor layers (diffusion layers) DFN are formed onboth sides of the two gate layers GT in PW1. Thus, the access transistor(MN3) and driver transistor (MN1) of PW1 are implemented on one side ofNW2 so that one end of the source/drain is shared by DFNs. Further,n-type semiconductor layers DFN are formed on both sides of the two gatelayers GT in PW2. Thus, the access transistor (MN4) and drivertransistor (MN2) of PW2 are implemented on the other side of NW2 so thatone end of the source/drain is shared by DFNs. Further, the p-typesemiconductor layers (diffusion layers) DFP are formed on both sides ofthe two gate layers in NW2. Thus, the load transistor (MP1) that sharesGT with MN1, as well as the load transistor (MP2) that shares GT withMN2 are implemented in NW2. Similarly, in MARY, MC is formed by usingPW2, PW3, and NW3 interposed between PW2 and PW3 in the X-axisdirection, and by sequentially forming the gate layers GT and thesemiconductor layers (diffusion layers) DFN, DFP in the Y-axisdirection. In this way, MCs are sequentially formed.

Further, MARY is provided with the tap region TAP described above. Forexample, if TAP of FIG. 22 corresponds to the TAP [1] of FIG. 21A, MARY[0] of FIG. 21A is formed on one of the two sides of TAP in the Y-axisdirection shown in FIG. 22. Then, MARY [1] of FIG. 21A is formed on theother side. In. FIG. 22, TAP includes the p⁺ type semiconductor layers(diffusion layers) P+ that are sequentially formed in PW1, PW2, PW3, andso on, and the n⁺ type semiconductor layers (diffusion layers) N+ thatare sequentially formed in NW2, NW3, and so on. Thus, power is suppliedto each well through the corresponding N+ and P+.

As described above, by using the semiconductor device according to theseventh embodiment, it is typically possible to increase the operationmargin of the static memory modules included in the semiconductordevice. In addition, it is possible to speed up the static memorymodules. These advantages can be effectively achieved by the layoutdesign described above.

Eighth Embodiment <Outline of the Memory Unit>

FIG. 23 is a schematic diagram of a configuration example of a memoryunit included in a semiconductor device according to an eighthembodiment of the present invention. The memory unit shown in FIG. 23has the characteristics of the write assist circuit shown in FIG. 6 andother figures, as well as the characteristics of the word driver powersupply circuit shown in FIG. 14 and other figures. The memory unit inFIG. 23 includes the longitudinally long static memory module SRMD1 andthe laterally long memory module SRMD2, similarly to FIGS. 6 and 14.

SRMD1 includes the write assist circuit WAST1_1, and SRMD2 includes thewrite assist circuit WAST1_2 as described with reference to FIG. 6 andother figures. The number of rows is larger in SRMD1 than in SRMD2. Inother words, the memory cell power supply line ARVDD is longer in SRMD1than in SRMD2. Thus, the write assist pulse signal WPT with a widerpulse width than that for WAST1_2 is applied to WAST1_1. Both WAST1_1and WAST1_2 control the reduction speed of the voltage level of ARVDD byusing WPT in the write operation. Thus, it is possible to increase thewrite margin regardless of the array configuration.

Further, SRNMD1 includes the word driver power supply circuit blockVGEN1, and SRMD2 includes the word driver power supply circuit blockVGEN2 as described with reference to FIG. 14 and other figures. SRMD1has a larger number of rows (namely, the word driver power line WLVDD islong) and has a smaller number of columns (namely, the word line WL isshort), compared to SRMD2. Thus, VGEN1 has a larger size (drivecapability) than VGEN2. VGEN1 and VGEN2 reduce the voltage level ofWLVDD in the read operation (write operation). At this time, the drivecapability for reducing the voltage level of WLVDD is optimizedaccording to the array configuration. Thus, it is possible to increasethe read margin and to reduce the access time, regardless of the arrayconfiguration.

For example, the circuit configuration example including the static unit(VSBK) and the dynamic unit (VDBK) as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B isapplied to the write assist circuits WAST1_1 and WAST1_2. On the otherhand, a sort of circuit configuration example including only the staticunit as shown in FIG. 16 is applied to the word driver power supplycircuit blocks VGEN1 and VGEN2. The static unit switches the outputvoltage from a certain voltage level to a predetermined lower voltagelevel. The main function of the static unit is to constantly supply thepredetermined voltage level. The dynamic unit operates only in theswitching of the voltage level. Then, the dynamic unit has a functionfor controlling the switching speed of the voltage level.

Here, conceptually the write assist circuit and the word driver powersupply circuit block perform substantially the same operation. That is,both the write assist circuit and the word driver power supply circuitblock reduce the voltage level to control the reduction speed of thevoltage level. For this reason, the dynamic unit may be applied to theword driver power supply circuit block in a similar way to the writeassist circuit. Alternatively, the write assist circuit may include onlythe static unit in a similar way to the word driver power supply circuitblock. However, there is an essential difference between the writeassist circuit and the word driver power supply circuit block in theapplication of such configurations.

First of all, preferably the word driver power supply circuit blockcontinuously supplies power in the read operation (write operation).However, the write assist circuit does not necessarily supply power inthe write operation as described with reference to FIGS. 7A and 7B.Further, the write assist circuit can have a power supply capability(pull-up capability) that is low enough to supply low power, which isrequired to maintain information, to the memory cell of CMOS latch type.However, the word driver power supply circuit block that supplies powerto the word driver to drive the gate layer of the MOS transistor shouldhave a relatively high pull-up capability because the access time willdepend on the pull-up capability.

As a result, the word driver power supply circuit block should have astatic unit with sufficiently high pull-up capability. Thus, unlike thewrite assist circuit, it is not suitable for the word driver powersupply circuit block to fix the pull-up capability (and the power supplyremovable capability (pull-down capability)) of the static unit, and toreinforce the pull-down capability by the dynamic unit. In other words,if the pull-up capability of the static unit is fixed, it is necessaryto fix it to the higher side. For example, when the circuitconfiguration shown in FIG. 16 is used, the pull-down capabilityincreases accordingly, so that the dynamic unit may not be necessary.

It is also possible to reinforce the pull-down capability by the dynamicunit, depending on the circuit type, on the assumption that the staticunit has sufficient pull-up capability and relatively low pull-downcapability. However, the dynamic unit requires a transistor with a sizelarger than the originally large transistor of the static unit. Thus, areduction in the area efficiency and the like may occur. For thisreason, it is preferable that the word driver power supply circuit blockincludes only the static unit to adjust the entire drive capability(pull-up and pull-down capabilities) to control the rate of fall of thevoltage level accordingly.

On the other hand, since the pull-up capability is not so required inthe write assist circuit, it is possible to use the static unit with afixed capability regardless of the array configuration, as describedabove. Thus, it is possible to use the method of adjusting the pull-upcapability (and the pull-down capability) of the static unit like theword driver power supply circuit block. However, this method may not beeffective in terms of area and layout design. In this way, it ispossible to provide the static unit with fixed pull-up capability (andpull-down capability) in the write assist circuit. However, the requiredpull-down capability can vary according to the array configuration, asdescribed above. Thus, it is preferable to use the method of providingthe dynamic unit in the write assist circuit to reinforce the pull-downcapability according to the array configuration, in addition to thestatic unit.

As described above, by using the semiconductor device according to theeighth embodiment, it is typically possible to increase the operationmargin (write margin, read margin) of the static memory modules includedin the semiconductor device. In addition, it is possible to speed up thestatic memory modules.

While the invention made by the present inventors has been described indetail with reference to the preferred embodiments, it will beappreciated that the present invention is not limited to the embodimentsdescribed hereinbefore and various modifications and changes may be madethereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

For example, the SRAM described herein is embedded in the semiconductordevice such as SOC and microcomputer. However, the present invention isnot necessarily limited to such an embedded SRAM. The present inventioncan also be applied to general-purpose stand-alone SRAM products(semiconductor storage devices). Here, the SRAM is shown as a singleport SRAM, but it goes without saying that dual port SRAM or other SRAMtypes can also be used. In particular, the semiconductor deviceaccording to the embodiments of the present invention that uses theadvance process in which the operation margin could be reduced, isuseful for complied SRAM applications. However, it goes without sayingthat the present invention is not limited thereto, and can also beapplied to semiconductor devices including a plurality of SRAM memoryarrays by using various processes.

1-20. (canceled)
 21. A semiconductor device comprising: a memory moduleincluding: a plurality of word lines extending in parallel in a firstdirection; a plurality of bit line pairs extending in parallel in asecond direction crossing the first direction; a plurality of SRAMmemory cells coupled to the plurality of word lines and the plurality ofbit lines such that one memory cell is coupled to one word line and onebit line pair; a plurality of memory cell power supply lines extendingin parallel in the second direction to supply power to the plurality ofSRAM memory cells; a write assist circuit for discharging an electriccharge of a memory cell power supply line corresponding to an SRAMmemory cell to be written in a write operation for a first period; and atiming generation circuit for generating a pulse signal with a pulsewidth of the first period, wherein the timing generation circuitincludes: a register for storing a digital code; and a delay circuit fordetermining the pulse width of the pulse signal, and wherein a delay ofthe delay circuit is determined by the digital code.
 22. Thesemiconductor device according to claim 21, wherein the digital coderepresents a number of the plurality of word lines.
 23. Thesemiconductor device according to claim 22, wherein the write assistcircuit includes: a voltage generation circuit for outputting a voltageto the memory cell power supply line corresponding to the SRAM memorycell to be written in the write operation, while switching a voltagelevel from a first voltage level to a second voltage level lower thanthe first voltage level; and a discharge circuit that operates inparallel with a transition from the first voltage level to the secondvoltage level by the voltage generation circuit to control a speed ofthe transition from the first voltage level to the second voltage levelby discharging the electric charge of the memory cell power supply linefor the first period.
 24. The semiconductor device according to claim23, wherein the voltage generation circuit includes: first and secondMIS transistors of a first conductivity type with source-drain pathscoupled in parallel between the first voltage level and the memory powersupply line; and a third MIS transistor of the first conductivity type,a fourth MIS transistor of a second conductivity type, and a fifth MIStransistor of the second conductivity type, with source-drain pathscoupled in series in order from a side of the memory cell power supplyline, between the memory cell power supply line and a third voltagelevel lower than the second voltage level, wherein gates of the firstand fifth MIS transistors are commonly coupled, wherein a predeterminedfixed voltage is input to a gate of the third MIS transistor, wherein agate of the second MIS transistor is coupled to a common coupling nodeof the third MIS transistor and the fourth MIS transistor, and wherein agate of the fourth MIS transistor is coupled to the memory cell powersupply line.
 25. The semiconductor device according to claim 24, whereinthe discharge circuit includes a sixth MIS transistor of the firstconductivity type with a source-drain path coupled between the memorycell power supply line and the common coupling node of the third MIStransistor and the fourth MIS transistor, the discharge circuit beingturned on in the first period.
 26. The semiconductor device according toclaim 21, further comprising: a processor unit for performing apredetermined arithmetic operation by using the memory module, whereinthe memory module and the processor unit are mounted over onesemiconductor chip.
 27. The semiconductor device according to claim 26,wherein each memory module is a compiled SRAM.
 28. The semiconductordevice according to claim 21, wherein the memory module furtherincludes: a plurality of word drivers for driving the plurality of wordlines; a word driver power supply line extending in the second directionto supply power to the plurality of word drivers; and a power supplycircuit block for reducing the voltage level of the word driver powersupply line in a read operation.